Walter Trout may well be the modern-day epitome of the age-old saying "to truly play the blues you gotta have lived the blues."

The noted New Jersey born bluesman has dealt with addiction, a genuine brush with death through liver failure and a life-saving transplant that was primarily a fan and friend funded operation.Throw in having to learn to speak and play guitar again as part of your recovery and you have quite the 'Qualified to Play the Blues' CV to your name.

All of which have conspired to give Walter Trout a new lease of Blues life, as witnessed in Glasgow where an appreciative audience were treated to a two hour set full of older material and half a dozen songs from Trout’s current and most excellent Battle Scars album, written about his illness and described by the man himself as "graphic, dark, depressing… but hey, let's have some fun!"

The twelve hundred capacity O2 ABC was a big step up for Walter Trout, more used to a couple of hundred blues regulars at The Ferry, the city’s floating entertainment venue on the River Clyde.It wasn't quite a full house, but no matter the size of the crowd or the size of the venue Walter Trout always manages to make it feel like a gathering of like-minded friends in his front room.

But then there is also a lot of Glasgow warmth for this most humble and engaging of men and Glasgow was the city chosen to present Walter Trout with consecutive British Blues Awards for 'Best Overseas Artist' (making it three years in a row for the well-respected musician).

Right from the off it was evident that Walter Trout was on some of the best form of his rejuvenated life.Opening number, the particularly apt 'I'm Back' from the Luther's Blues album featured some blistering soloing from both Trout and the ever smiling, super talented Sammy Avila on Hammond organ.

But it wasn’t all about what Walter Trout can still do with his guitar.

Firstly, the set was full of between-song anecdotes and stories about Trout's battle with illness; it is very obvious that he feels blessed to have another chance at life and playing the blues again.

Secondly, given that he’s now 64 and after what he’s been through in the last couple of years this reviewer fully expected a struggle with vocal power and hitting the notes – however I’m delighted to say I, and anyone else expecting the same issues, couldn't have been more wrong.Walter Trout hit his notes, he sung with power and soul and ended the two hour stint looking like he could have done it all over again.

While the set had its fair share of up-tempo or blues rock orientated numbers, it’s when things were slowed down a little that the blues really shone.A very poignant and emotional rendition of 'Say Goodbye to the Blues,' dedicated to the late B.B. King, featured some stunning and subtle playing from Walter Trout and Sammy Avila, backed by the wonderful rhythm section of drummer Michael Leasure and new guy Johnny Griparic on bass.

Another highlight was when Walter Trout’s son John was brought on for a few songs, firstly as rhythm guitarist and then for a guitar duel with dad.It was quite something to behold, the elder blues statesman and the young upstart throwing licks at each other.Who won? The old man of course, but only, as we say in Glasgow, by that minutest of measurements "the bawhair."

After two hours of some of the most sublime blues and considering the circumstances of the last couple of years, Walter Trout probably deserved, and perhaps needed, a rest.

But what he actually did was stay around to meet the fans.

Because when the Blues come calling, so does Walter Trout, one of the nicest and talented guys in the blues business.